IceHogs News

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs, primary affiliates of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks and members of the American Hockey League, announced on Thursday that the team’s broadcasting network is expanding for the 2010-11 season.

For the eighth consecutive campaign, the IceHogs will call 1330 AM WNTA its flagship radio station. All 80 games will be broadcast live on the IceHogs flagship radio station beginning with Rockford’s 2010-11 regular season opener on Saturday, Oct. 9 against the Manitoba Moose at 4:35 p.m. All games can also be heard live on-line at www.wnta.com.

Fans can catch Bud Light Hog Talk most Mondays during the upcoming season on WNTA as well. Bud Light Hog Talk is from 5-6 p.m. and is broadcast live from Swilligan’s Pub in downtown Rockford. The show features IceHogs players, coaches and front office members.

ESPN 1380 AM WTJK returns as an affiliate to the IceHogs broadcasting network this season and the station will carry 30 IceHogs games in ’10-11. The first broadcast is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7:05 p.m. when the IceHogs travel to Peoria. A Tuesday staple on WTJK is also back as “Jock Talk” will feature its “Inside the Pig Pen” segment with hosts Andrew Liebetrau and Andy Gannon.

The television side of the IceHogs broadcasting network is expanding in 2010-11 as the Rockford’s MyNetworkTV, digital sub-channel 17.2 (WTVO), which is also available on Comcast Cable Channel 16 and Charter Cable Channel 16 will carry all 15 of the IceHogs home Saturday games beginning with the team’s season opener on Oct. 9.

Comcast Cable Channel-57 will continue to be the IceHogs flagship television station broadcasting all 80 of team’s regular season games and all additional postseason contests. Comcast Cable Channel-57 will carry the audio only for all 40 of the IceHogs road tilts this season.

Every IceHogs game, home and away, will once again be made available through AHL Live on www.icehogs.com. AHL Live provides live AHL games, highlights and features.

Veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Peck returns to the booth for his ninth season as the “Voice of the IceHogs”. Tim Mattila, head coach of the 14-time defending state champion Rockford Icemen, will provide color commentating for select games and the IceHogs welcome Matt Prefontaine and Courtney King to the broadcast team in 2010-11. Prefontaine will serve as the IceHogs in-studio host for all 80 games while King will be the sideline reporter for all home games.

Every broadcast begins 30 minutes before face-off with the U.S. Cellular Pregame show and concludes with the Comcast Postgame Show. Most home games will finish up with the Comcast Postgame Call-in Show with Peck and Chris Toltzman. Fans can share their views and opinions about the IceHogs during the popular postgame show segment.

For more information about the IceHogs Broadcasting Network, or to view the IceHogs broadcasting schedule, visit www.icehogs.com/schedule/promotions.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 9 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 4:35 p.m. The IceHogs begin the 2010-11 season against the Manitoba Moose and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2010-11 IceHogs Magnet schedule courtesy of U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix and the Illinois Pork Producers. Before the game on Saturday there is a fan festival from 1-4 p.m. where fans can enjoy music, food, and entertainment.